Google Contemplated Exclusive Gemini AI Deals with Android Makers
iTnews
SKIPPED
Details
- Date Published
- 23 Apr 2025
- Priority Score
- 4
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 29 Apr 2025, 02:52 pm
Description
Obtained AI gains through alleged search monopoly, trial hears.
Summary
The article covers Google's strategic considerations to pursue exclusive agreements for its Gemini AI app and other products with Android phone manufacturers like Samsung, amidst an ongoing antitrust trial. The US Department of Justice is targeting Google's dominance in online search, aiming to dismantle potential competitive advantages the company holds, such as leveraging its AI capabilities to fortify its search monopoly. A highlighted concern is that these exclusive deals might impede the distribution of competitive AI offerings, like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Although the trial is primarily focused on antitrust issues related to search engines, the implications on AI deployment and competition are noteworthy, pointing towards significant governance challenges in preventing monopolistic practices impacting AI technology access.
Body
Google contemplated deals with Android phone makers such as Samsung that would provide exclusivity for not only its search app, but also for its Gemini AI app and Chrome browser, according to a document shown on the second day of an antitrust trial.
The US Department of Justice and a broad coalition of state attorneys general are seeking an order from a judge in Washington that would require Google to sell its Chrome browser and take other measures.
They hope to end what the judge found was Google's monopoly in online search and related advertising.
In that ruling, US District Judge Amit Mehta found that the Alphabet-owned company protected its search monopoly through exclusive agreements with Samsung Electronics and others to have its search engine installed as the default on new devices.
Instead of entering more exclusive agreements, however, Google recently loosened its deals with device makers Samsung and Motorola and wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon, allowing them to load rival search offerings, according to documents shown at trial.
The non-exclusive agreements mirror what Google has said should be the remedy to address Mehta's ruling.
The DOJ wants the judge to go further, banning Google from making payments in exchange for the installation of its search app.
Google sent the company letters as recently as last week reiterating that their agreements did not prohibit the companies from installing other AI products on new devices, Google executive Peter Fitzgerald testified.
Prosecutors raised concerns in opening statements on Monday that Google's search monopoly could give it advantages in AI, and that its AI products are another way to lead users to its search engine.
OpenAI's ChatGPT head of product Nick Turley took the stand on April 22. He is expected to testify about how Google's exclusive agreements make it harder to distribute AI products such as ChatGPT.
Google has said the case is not about AI, and that it faces robust competition from companies including Meta Platforms.